Sharon heritage conservation district study to commence this fall

Study scheduled to take place over 18 months and will include public consultations

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 9, 2022
Simon Martin

The Sharon Heritage Conservation District project is set to get going in East Gwillimbury, as town council approved $79,920 for Letourneau Heritage Consulting to begin. The project is kicking off this fall with an introductory public engagement session, followed by a study phase and a plan development phase.

The project is anticipated to take 18 months, wrapping up at the beginning of 2024.

Earlier this year, David James, chair of the town’s Heritage Advisory Committee, said something similar is in the works for Mount Albert.

“Mount Albert will be right behind Sharon,” he said.

James has served on the committee for the past eight years. As a descendant of David Willson, he has a unique perspective on preserving the heritage of the area. He said heritage conservation has been used by many communities across Ontario. “I think it really is to maintain the heritage integrity of the community,” he said.

A Heritage Conservation District is a defined geographical area within a municipality that is protected under a local bylaw to ensure conservation of its existing heritage character.

The focus of this type of designation is on the prevailing character of an area, including the variety of buildings and how they interrelate, the physical attributes including trees, landscapes, building setbacks, roads, street furniture and lighting. A district designation will allow a municipal council to manage and guide future change in the district by adopting a district plan with policies and guidelines tailored to the area.